"From the Wreck" by Jane Rawson

I read this book as part of the Aussie Author Challenge 2018.  The book was set in South Australia during the 1800s, and the key incident in the book is the 1859 shipwreck of the SS Admella which I believe was a real event in history. I enjoyed the little historical snippets throughout the book giving glimpses of what life in Adelaide during the 1800s was like, and how some of the places described are still so recognisable today e.g. the botanic gardens and the lily pond and the grand buildings on North Terrace.

However, this is not your typical historical novel about a shipwreck -there is also a strong element of science fiction throughout and it is a very unique story. One of the main characters in the book, George Hills, survives the shipwreck, apparently through the help of a female passenger on the ship, Miss Ledwith who turns out to be a shape-shifting alien being rather than a human.  

Many of the sections written from the point of view of the alien reminded me in style to some of Neil Gaimon's writing...seemingly free-flowing, dream-like/nightmarish scenes, not always comprehensible, but dark and creative and strange yet captivating too.

I didn't really love the book, and found some of the characters very superficially described, but I did appreciate the uniqueness of it, and the 'creative writing' feel to it, so I am giving it 7/10.

Started reading this book on my kindle 30/01/2018
Finished: 07/02/2018
My score: 7/10
Aussie Author Challenge stats: Female Author, New to me Author, Genre: Mix of science fiction and historical fiction.

"Terra Nullius" by Claire G. Coleman

Started reading on: 18th January 2018 as part of the Aussie Author Challenge 2018.
This book was recommended to me by the owners of Adelaide's Pop-Up Bookshop. The author is an indigenous Australian from W.A. and has won a "Black & Write" fellowship in 2016.

Wow... the Aussie Author Challenge 2018 is certainly off to a good start, with a 10/10 score from me for a book written by an author who was new to me - Claire G. Coleman. Even if this book had solely been an historical novel based on the invasion of Australia by the British and the horrors of what was done by many 'Settlers' to the 'Native' population, this book would have been powerful and had a strong impact on me. But this book is so much more than that. As it says on the back cover "This is not the Australia of our history. This Terra Nullius is something new, but all too familiar." For the first approx. 120 pages it does indeed feel like you are thrown into the dark history of Australia in the late 1800s-early 1900s, with Native characters being 're-educated' by Settlers in harsh outback religious schools, slaves attempting futile escape attempts from their cruel masters on farms, and being tracked by Troopers who have the upper hand in terms of weaponry and technology but little outback survival skills and who secretly just wish they could get back on a ship to go home to their motherland. However there comes a point where something strikingly unexpected dawns on you as the reader and becomes more apparent as you progress, and this surprising twist really hits home. I want to say so much more as this book is a page-turner while also emotionally hitting home and making you consider our history in a different light and even made me question humanity in some ways. But I can't say more, as I don't want to ruin the surprise at the heart of this book - you just have to read it for yourself. I thoroughly recommend it.


Started reading: 18th January 2018
Finished: 31st January 2018
My score: 10/10
Genre: Historical fiction
Read as part of the Aussie Author Challenge 2018: Female author & new to me author.

Aussie Author Challenge 2018

I didn't manage to make the time to read as many books as usual in 2017, but am planning on reading more in 2018. I have decided to sign up for the 2018 Aussie Author Challenge - at least at the Wallaroo level, and potentially the Kangaroo level...we will see as the year progresses! I have taken part in the Challenge in 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016 - it's a great way to discover great books and new authors. If you are interested in joining the Aussie Author Challenge or would just like some recommendations of excellent books written by Australians - head over to the Book Lover's Book Review website where Jo is hosting the Challenge for the 9th year.

"The Power" by Naomi Alderman.

Recommended by the PopUp Bookshop owners for people who enjoyed the Handmaid's Tale book.
 

Started reading: 10/12/2017
Finished: 17/01/2018
My score:6.5-7/10

I will write my review and upload it soon.

“Dark Emu Black Seeds: Agriculture or Accident?” By Bruce Pascoe

I’ve had several people recommend this book to me over the last few years, but also had some trouble tracking down a copy of it. After hearing the author speak at the free Open State festival in October my mind was blown. Fascinated, excited, ashamed at my ignorance, and upset about why this is not common knowledge that we celebrate as a nation. I bought the book at the festival. There’s a good Richard Fidler interview with Bruce Pascoe you can listen to if you are interested.

Started reading: 1st Dec 2017 (approx).
Finished: 10th Feb 2018 (approx).
My score/review: 10/10 - every Australian should read it.

“All the light we cannot see” by Anthony Doerr

Recommended by my Mum :-) I bought this book at least 2 years ago but only now prioritising more time to read novels again (mostly on the bus) as I really miss it.

Such an excellent book! It's an historic novel set in the Second World War, very moving and beautifully written, with such lovely moments of love and compassion and bravery shining strongly through that makes you have faith in the goodness of most humans even when surrounded by so much violence and horror inflicted by others. Also makes me wonder why we humans don't seem to learn from the horrific wars of the past and keep repeating them over and over in different places and different contexts.

Started reading: 7th Nov 2017

Finished: November 2017

My score: 10/10

“The Handmaid’s Tale” by Margaret Atwood.

I bought this book second hand from my favourite bookstore: Adelaide’s Pop-Up Bookshop at the Central Markets. Just started reading it 2 days ago on the bus and absolutely hooked and about half way already. It’s a dystopian novel but I love the writing style. I haven’t watched the TV series based on this book yet - I bought this book about 2 years ago well before I even knew there was a TV series coming out, but only just getting time to read it now.

Started reading: 1 Nov 2017
Finished reading: 7 Nov 2017
My score: 9/10 - love her writing style plus it was hard to put down. Way better than other dystopian novels I’ve read (not that I’ve read a huge number).